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About the BellaOnline Short Stories Editor
Michelle Anne Cope

Hello, I’m Michelle, your editor and fellow fan of Short Stories! I read my first short story in a textbook when I was in seventh grade. I devoured every line of James Thurber’s “The Catbird Seat” which was originally published in The New Yorker, November 14, 1942. After reading that short story, I was hooked. I would scan magazines, bypassing articles, to search for the monthly short story. When I was a sophomore in high school, my English teacher introduced me to short story anthologies. I was able to indulge in the works of writers such as Ernest Hemingway, Edgar Allan Poe, Shirley Jackson, Guy de Maupassant and Jack London. In my junior year, I began to write my own short stories and I have never stopped.

I think my fascination with this type of story is because of the way they are written with grounded characters, along with unusual and unique story methods. A full story can be told with a very low count of words. Yes, there may be less characters, less scenes, and plot lines, but the short story can be passionate and strong.

I chose to write for this site because I believe that the short story is still an amazing and much needed type of fiction. Today, new authors are publishing their short stories in collections as well as in singular form through publishers and independent book sellers. They are also great gems to add to an electronic reader. These short stories are just long enough to enjoy before bed, at the beach, or even during an unexpected period of waiting.

This site is not mine alone, it is also your site. I would love to hear about your favorite short stories and authors. You can visit the Short Stories forum to leave a question or comment. I look forward to hearing from you.

A Short Story About Me:
I live in Columbus, Ohio, both the birth and burial place of James Thurber. I live with two rescue cats, and two rescue dogs. As well as being a writer, I am also a digital illustrator, play the ukulele, and have a passion for red licorice.

I have added a link below to my article about the short story and its popularity.

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